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Does Charity Always Help?

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“Charity is injurious unless it helps the recipient to become independent of it.”  – John D. Rockefeller

When Rockefeller spoke these words, he knew that in such a noble deed as charity, there is still a risk of it being damaging to the recipients of the charity.  This is because of the possibility that they will become fully dependent on others and will no longer work on their own to improve their situation.  Givers of charity are therefore encouraged to assess if they are actually helping people in their acts of charity or simply encouraging them to be dependent on other people and institutions.

Acts of charity therefore are not always beneficial to the recipient.  This is specifically in situations where beneficiaries of charitable support are not taught to take care of themselves after the initial assistance.  Charity is also seen as non-beneficial when it merely becomes a band-aid solution to problems that require comprehensive changes.

It can be very difficult to associate negativity with something so noble as charity.  For how is it possible that something intended to help will turn out badly?  The problem is not in the intention.  It is usually with the implementation that something goes wrong.

Some people see a lack of fairness when donors and philanthropists have the power to choose the recipients of their charitable act.  Many believe that charitable works must be distributed according to real priorities and needs and not according to personal preference and choice.  But how does one argue with a donor?

There are also concerns about charity that comes with conditions.  This is related to requiring the recipients to do or not do a specific act in exchange for receiving the benefits.  If the conditions set are manipulative and violates human rights,  there are obvious contrasts to the noble purpose of charity.  If the conditions are set to ensure that the recipients truly benefit beyond the initial dole-out, then such conditions are deemed positive.

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About the Author:

Teresa is a professional researcher-writer on a wide range of topics.

Originally posted on January 31, 2013 @ 4:11 pm

Charity Work – Is it For You?

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If you think that the only job available for the charity industry is to get donations, you will definitely be surprised that there is a wide margin of employment opportunities in this industry.  People who are looking into finding jobs in this sector will most likely find them in not-for-profit organizations, charitable institutions, as well as various voluntary and community organizations.

The charity industry involves many types of work for it to accomplish its objective.  Administrative work is considerable since there is a lot of documentary and paper work to be accomplished.  Fundraising, is only one of the many works that has to be done.  In relation to fundraising, there is also the matter of educating new members of the industry.

Other areas of concern for potential employees of the charity industry includes works related to specific issues such as animal conservation, environment conservation and research, and health education and promotion.  Other duties to be performed includes emergency work, policy development, as well as provision of care services.  Charity organizations also need managers adept at human resources management, financial management, and scientific and social research development.

There is as much opportunity to gain career satisfaction in the charity industry although the pay may not be as much as in the corporate world.  In terms of experience, there is much to expect and probably even more.  There are also job opportunities similar to those found in the business sector such as accounting, marketing, and IT.  Charity work is not for everyone but it is definitely for some people.  If that includes you – that is for you to find out.

Originally posted on January 26, 2013 @ 12:50 am

Non-Profit Groups – the backbone of charitable institutions

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Volunteer work.jpgThe several charities around all rely on manpower in the form of volunteers may they be aimed at people or towards nature. The many charities survive because of people who are dedicated to provide the proper care and help to those who may need it wherever they may be. Volunteer nurses and doctors go to distant lands to help people such as those who are currently suffering in Darfur helping the sick and injured as they live day by day in uncertainty.

Donations flow to those who suffer in the far reaches of the earth, delivered by volunteers who choose to do a little for their fellow man such as pilots, military men and others who just want to help. Financing is not the only aspect one can help with in terms of wanting to help. Habitat for Humanity has projects that construct free housing for the homeless relying on volunteer masons, electricians and the regular Joe to do the building. Thousands of houses have been built by these volunteers some of whom come back, time after time for the unseen reward of gratitude one gets from those who benefit from their hard work.

The people who need help are endless in this world and at any one time, a person dies in misery, his life becoming worthless and insignificant just because they are nobody’s. That is what we aim to change, everybody is somebody and all should know that. The children of Africa who have survived drought and famine now face AIDS and a life without parents due to the disease. Much can be done if everybody pitches in including businesses for they are the main source of funding besides governments and donations. Helping all those who need it is the goal, volunteering is the soul.

Originally posted on February 4, 2008 @ 1:32 pm

Working for Charities, a life changing experience

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Volunteers.jpgAsk anyone who has done charity work and they would all give you the same answer, it’s worth the risk and effort. Humans have long since accepted the fact that there are those who have and those who don’t. This can be in terms of food, health care, housing and so on and so forth. Many people even in the United States suffer and go on living everyday without some of life’s basics. Healthcare is one of the most problematic areas for as prices rise due to cost of implementation, more and more people are finding it difficult to afford the amount of protection they need. That’s where charities step in and augment the system by providing services and skills that would otherwise have to be paid for by the government which is currently feeling the strain of a pending recession.

May it be in curb-side health checks to neighborhood kitchens, these help Americans feed the homeless and other people in need without a need for the tons of forms and other requirements of government services. The elderly and foreign immigrants, many of whom are illegal are the ones who suffer most. Even with recent drives to overhaul and re-work the health care system, there is still much to be done in terms of getting the job done and getting the services and resources to those who need them most.

Volunteers know that the simple task of treating a person with dignity and recognizing them for who they are is worth a thousand words to these people who repay your generosity with unspoken words. Volunteer work is still one of the most rewarding experiences for and individual for it has rewards that are without bounds. Call it heart-warming but getting gratitude from someone who does not have anything is more than enough to make your day a happy and self-fulfilled one that no one can take away from you.

Originally posted on February 1, 2008 @ 1:26 pm